Peter Wolczik - Home Improvement Contractor

10/10/2026

Client asked to have rotted trim replaced. Found a bad surprise. The rot was into the structure, but rebuild the framing and made it water tight. Adhesive flashing will help keep the water from reaching the structures.

10/04/2026

10/03/2026

Client's deck was failing and at risk of collapse. I continue to see this all over the North Shore. This generation of pressure treated lumber had high copper content, and when in contact with galvanized fasteners and hardware (dissimilar metals) causes corrosion and failure. I've seen many nails and joist hangers rusting, losing their strength, dissolved away, and failing. Several joist hangers were completely gone, and that could have been a disaster. Made it right. : )

09/21/2026

Though still "summer", remember to order your roof rakes now. The potential "good" news is a developing strong El Niño will bring warmer and wetter conditions to New England through the fall and winter of 2026–2027 and the delay cold weather, according to the Climate Prediction Center. Translation more rain or heavy wet snow and less extended cold periods that lead to ice dams. I did notice that roof rakes prices are about 50% higher than last year. 40 bucks last year, 60 bucks this year.
PS. For the folks waiting on me, as of Labor Day, I'm officially caught up with removing your snow and ice dams. : )

09/15/2026

After I modified the island cabinets to accommodate the larger induction cooktop, I needed to make a custom drawer. : )

09/09/2026

First deck I built with my folks in 1978 after the blizzard. Had to rebuild a section after the 91' storm. In 1978, my Dad taught me that strips of tar paper on top of the joists will help prevent water sitting on the joists which causes rot. These joists held up well under the tar paper during 48 years of getting pummeled by the ocean. This is why I install joist tape on all my clients' projects even the decks not on the ocean. : )

09/02/2026

These stairs have held up well against 1533 tides and many storms over the last two years.

09/02/2026

Regular deck boards aren't strong enough for this deck situated directly on the ocean. This deck needs 2x6 PT to withstand the ocean throwing 50lb stones at it during storms. Winter storm Riley threw this 50lb stone at it.

08/26/2026

Clients asked for a space to dine al fresco. Railing/screening and skirting next. : )

08/22/2026

This picture shows exactly why I always use self-sealing adhesive joist tape on all the deck structures I build. It rained over night so I found this when I arrive back at my clients'. Water sitting on joists causes rot.